The Cabin Area of the CH 640

The cabin interior is ergonomically designed to provide comfort for four adults, while being easy to convert for cargo-carrying applications. Large doors on either side allow easy access to the cabin from both sides, and can be quickly removed.

The Zodiac CH 640 cabin was designed for today’s pilots who are significantly taller than pilots were 50 years ago (and larger than most designers of kit planes). The cabin width is an amazing 46 inches from window to window, making it the widest cabin in its class. A typical six-foot six-inch pilot will sit comfortably with plenty of head room to spare even while wearing headsets.

The "wrap-around" windows provide excellent visibility. The front seats are positioned near the front of the wing so that the downward visibility to the ground is excellent. Dual gull-wing doors provide easy access to the cabin from either side, and also protect the cabin from rain when open. A fixed step is located on each side of the cabin below and aft of the inboard end of the wing trailing edge.

Fixed handholds are located on the sides of the fuselage above the aft upper corner of the rear window. The walkway is made up of a non-skid compound applied to the wing surface. Two handles are located in the cabin, one directly above the instruments, and one at the top of the windshield. The large doors make it easy to enter the aircraft on the left or right side.

The front seats are adjustable for small or tall pilots, and they fold forward to allow access to the rear seats.

The seat frames for the aircraft are provided in the kit; customers complete the upholstery by adding the type and amount of padding/foam preferred as well as the covering (fabric, leather, vinyl, etc.)

In response to demand for baggage space, a spacious rear baggage compartment is now available for the ZODIAC CH 640.

FLIGHT CONTROLSDual flight controls are provided as standard equipment. The flight controls actuate the control surfaces through a cable system. The aircraft yoke system is one of the most unique special features of the aircraft. There are no bicycle chains, pulleys, or control cables behind the instrument panel.

The complete yoke control system is made up of 4130 steel and held in place with large oversized "oil impregnated nylon" bearings. The control cables going to the back of the fuselage and wings are adjustable by adjusting turnbuckles, which are easy to access.

When flying the aircraft, a movement of the controls will immediately move the aircraft. There is no "dead time" in the system. This makes the aircraft easy to fly. The rudder set-up requires the pilot to use the rudder pedals, similar to larger aircraft.

The dual rudder pedals are equipped with toe-brakes (hydraulic). Direct linkage from the rudder pedals to the nosewheel provides very effective ground handling capability.

CABIN HEAT

Heat for the cabin of the Zodiac CH 640 is provided by an air heater installed on the exhaust manifold. The heated air is vented into the cabin area (in front of the pilot's feet) through a valve which can be controlled from the instrument panel. The windshield is kept clear of frost by a defroster system which operates from the heater. Fresh air is supplied to the cabin through two individual and orientable air inlet vents.